Lawrence, Kansas SperlingViews

"Costs of housing continues to climb"

Housing costs continue to rise due to significant demand from those who commute to greater Kansas City metro area or Topeka where housing costs remain lower but are not as much a great place to live. Property taxes are high.

I don't know why people have written negative reviews about Lawrence, but I have lived here for two years and love it. The quality of life is great - it is a college town so there is always a lot going on, the crime is low and there is a great downtown with lots of restaurants and bars. The downside is the Kansas weather is unpredictable and sales and property taxes are high and keep getting higher all the time. Lawrence has the most amazing dog park I have ever seen in my life, so if you are a dog lover, Lawrence is for you. It is also the most liberal town in Kansas, which works for me!

The traffic is horrible every day of the week including Sunday. The majority of the people I have met here have a very hostile and negative attitude.
Property crime is rampant. If you leave anything lying around that isn't nailed down, don't expect to see it again.
Bums are king. There are so many of them downtown flying signs "Homeless please help!" They are wanting money for alcohol. The tourists who come here just give them money because they believe the scam.
There is no effort to bring good paying jobs here. Meaningful employment is nonexistent.
Housing is overpriced for the unfit dumps they are renting out.
Kansas University is the only thing going on in Lawrence. If you are not part of that college or are planning to be, then never consider coming here! There is nothing here for those who aren't part of KU.

The traffic is horrible every day of the week including Sunday. The majority of the people I have met here have a very hostile and negative attitude.
Property crime is rampant. If you leave anything lying around that isn't nailed down, don't expect to see it again.
Bums are king. There are so many of them downtown flying signs "Homeless please help!" They are wanting money for alcohol. The tourists who come here just give them money because they believe the scam.
There is no effort to bring good paying jobs here. Meaningful employment is nonexistent.
Housing is overpriced for the unfit dumps they are renting out.
Kansas University is the only thing going on in Lawrence. If you are not part of that college or are planning to be, then never consider coming here! There is nothing here for those who aren't part of KU.

I have been in Lawrence for over 2 years because of my job.
The traffic is horrible every day of the week including Sunday. The majority of the people I have met here have a very hostile and negative attitude towards everything.
Property crime is rampant. If you leave anything lying around that isn't nailed down, don't expect to see it one minute later.
Bums are king. There are so many of them downtown flying signs "Homeless please help!" They are wanting money for alcohol. The tourists who come here just give them money because they believe the scam.
The homeless shelter is a haven for drunks and every kind of nut you can imagine.
Housing is overpriced for the unfit dumps they are renting out.
Kansas University is the only thing going on in Lawrence. If you are not part of that college or are planning to be, then never consider coming here! There is nothing here for those who aren't part of KU.

I have been in Lawrence for over 2 years because of my job.
The traffic is horrible every day of the week including Sunday. The majority of the people I have met here have a very hostile and negative attitude towards everything.
Property crime is rampant. If you leave anything lying around that isn't nailed down, don't expect to see it one minute later.
Bums are king. There are so many of them downtown flying signs "Homeless please help!" They are wanting money for alcohol. The tourists who come here just give them money because they believe the scam.
The homeless shelter is a haven for drunks and every kind of nut you can imagine.
Housing is overpriced for the unfit dumps they are renting out.
Kansas University is the only thing going on in Lawrence. If you are not part of that college or are planning to be, then never consider coming here! There is nothing here for those who aren't part of KU.

While I was a grad student at KU I lived in Lawrence, KS. I was unimpressed by the town and even less impressed by the over-inflated ego of its inhabitants. Let's be real for a minute here: We're talking about a small town in pig's knuckle Kansas and not Paris or NYC. Many of KU's students think KU is on the same level as Princeton or Harvard and they're sadly mistaken. The students I instructed as a GTA had come from behind a plow, were partying at KU for four to seven years, and then returning to the plow after graduation. I suppose for many of them Lawrence was "the big time."

Lawrence is the most liberal city in Kansas. It is a college town with a rich history and great vibe. I was raised in Lawrence, but would have preferred to grow up near some mountains or the ocean; however, the place has great schools. Kansas City Metro isn't too far away and makes for great entertainment on the weekends; although, the city of Lawrence has a few great places to enjoy for a night out.

While the weather in Kansas is atrocious, life in Lawrence, KS is quite pleasant. The town is filled with local music, art and shops. It is easy to get involve in community planning, and you can really make your opinions heard. It is a college town, so most of the jobs are University oriented. It is also becoming a bedroom community for Kansas City, but hopefully that trend is coming to a close.

With 2 universities and a young population, this city is full of life and very little crime. Downtown is amazing and always so many things and people to see and watch. It's amazing and I'm sad to have to move away. I just hope I can eventually find somewhere that is even as close to as awesome as this city has been.

I lived in Lawrence for 2 years. I enjoyed the time I lived in Lawrence.
I've listed the pros and cons about the town.
Pros
1. very pretty town 2. Mass Street has many great stores 3. KU has a pretty campus 4. nice people 5. very low crime rate
Cons
1. awful job market 2. limited cultural scene 3. crazy traffic when KU is in session 4. KU has a reputation for being a party school so be careful in what part of town you choose to live in unless you enjoy listening to constant partying 5. home prices and rent tend to be a bit pricey compared to many other places in the state.

I have lived here for 30 years and it is still the same. Nothing changes. Everything is for the good of KU not the good of the people that live here. If you don't have a collage anything you have a nothing chance of getting a job. The schools are the same if KU is out for a day, a week, or a month so is the public schools. NO child care in this city and if you have to stay home to take care a your children because KU is out you are fired! But if you are young and daddy pays for everything then you can miss work to go home to see daddy and not get fired because you are the reason Lawrence is even still around. If there was no KU there would be no Lawrence!! Do not move here and if you are here get out now and don't look back!

The people here in Lawrence are horrible, yuppies up the wazoo, partying all the time. Horrible job market, tons of potholes, police everywhere, and bad, congested traffic for such a smalll (relatively) city....however having said that, the city itself is very beautiful, lots of scenic walking and bike paths, the KU campus itself is breathtaking, and lots of hills. But yeah I cannot wait to get out of this city and move to Texas.
Oh and the JayHawks suck.

Lawrence is a very nice city and a good place to live. It has signficant historical significance. The weather stinks and traffic can be a hassle when the students are around. Politics are very liberal and KU is the only game in town.

Lawrence is home to a large state university, which has strong music and sports programs. This means there are lots of musical performances and games to go, which appeal to most age groups. Lawrence also has an art scene, as well as a strong Parks and Rec Department, which offers a variety of classes. Some examples are Beer Tasting and Belly Dancing! If you're looking for culture in Kansas, this is your place.

Housing costs continue to rise due to significant demand from those who commute to greater Kansas City metro area or Topeka where housing costs remain lower but are not as much a great place to live. Property taxes are high.

I don't like Lawrence...lots of flooding in the streets everytime it rains b/c the guttering is inadequate, lots of potholes (b/c of the flooding mostly), heavy traffic for such a relatively small town and all of the fastfood places are SLOW SLOW SLOW. KU sucks ass for non-traditional students. There are some good things and lots of people love it here, I'm just not one of them. There are some good trails to walk or ride your bike and b/c a lot of people do that, it's a fairly bike friendly town. The recycling options are also good.